Ross River virus risk associated with dispersal of Aedes (Ochlerotatus) camptorhynchus (Thomson) from breeding habitat into surrounding residential areas: muddy lakes, Western Australia.

Rapid population growth in Western Australia has resulted in increased development of land for residential housing, and new developments are often proposed close to water because of intrinsic aesthetic values. However, this placement may place future residents at risk of mosquito-borne disease, of which Ross River virus (RRV) disease is the most common in Australia. Mosquito dispersal data were combined with a spatial analysis of human RRV cases to show that mosquitoes dispersed readily from larval habitat into surrounding low- and high-density residential areas and that residents living within 2 km of mosquito breeding habitat had a significantly higher rate of RRV disease.

Functional outcome following proximal humeral interlocking system plating for displaced proximal humeral fractures.

Aim: To assess the functional outcome following internal fixation with the PHILOS (proximal humeral interlocking system) for displaced proximal humeral fractures.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed 30 consecutive patients treated surgically with the proximal humeral locking plate for a displaced proximal humeral fracture. Functional outcome was determined using the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score and Constant Murley score.

Outcome of total elbow replacement for rheumatoid arthritis: single surgeon's series with Souter-Strathclyde and Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis.

Background: The reported outcome of total elbow replacement is inferior to hip and knee arthroplasty, and there might be an element of institutional bias.

Methods: We analyzed the outcome of Souter and Coonrad-Morrey total elbow prosthesis in rheumatoid elbow performed by a single surgeon from a center independent from standpoint of being involved in the designing or manufacturing of the implant.

Results: We had 44 Souter elbows with a mean follow-up of 108 months and 55 Coonrad-Morrey elbows with mean follow-up of 60 months.

Treatment of mid-shaft clavicle fractures: A comparative study.

We retrospectively evaluated 51 patients (17 in each of three groups) with mid shaft clavicle fractures. Group 1 underwent intramedullary stabilization using clavicle pins. Group 2 underwent open reduction and internal fixation using plates and group 3 underwent non operative treatment with a sling.

Expression of the cell to cell adhesion molecule, ALCAM, in breast cancer patients and the potential link with skeletal metastasis.

The activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) is involved in cell migration and adhesion. Decreased levels of ALCAM expression in breast cancer tissue are known to correlate with poor prognosis. The current study specifically investigated the ALCAM expression in tumours which developed skeletal metastasis.

Interferon-gamma protects against the development of structural damage in experimental arthritis by regulating polymorphonuclear neutrophil influx into diseased joints.

Objective: Local interaction between soluble mediators within the inflamed synovium is a key factor that governs the pathologic outcome of inflammatory arthritides. Our aim was to investigate the interplay between the Th1 lymphokine interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) and pivotal cytokines that drive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathology (interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta] and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFalpha]) in modulating inflammation and arthritis in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: Monarticular antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) was initiated in IFNgamma-deficient (IFNgamma(-/-)) mice and age-matched wild-type (IFNgamma(+/+)) mice.

Inhibition of aggrecan turnover in short-term explant cultures of bovine tendon.

The large aggregating proteoglycan, aggrecan, better known for its physiological role in articular cartilage where it serves to facilitate resistance of compressive forces during joint articulation, is also present within the distinct functional regions of tendon (i.e., compressed/fibrocartilaginous and tensional).

Neutrophil priming for elastase release in adult blunt trauma patients.

Background: Elevated plasma elastase levels have been reported following major trauma and isolated femoral fracture. Reamed femoral nailing has been shown to further increase plasma elastase levels. The aim of this study was to investigate polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) priming for degranulation following major trauma and isolated long-bone/pelvis fracture by assessing the ability of PMN to release elastase in vitro in response to a stimulus.

Enhanced neutrophil migratory activity following major blunt trauma.

Background: Neutrophil migration into the lung is a critical, but poorly understood step in the pathogenesis of post-traumatic, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We investigated changes in interleukin-8 (IL-8) mediated neutrophil migration and associated changes in receptor expression, of the IL-8 receptors CXCR1, the integrins CD11b/CD18 and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) in patients sustaining major trauma.

Methods: Eleven patients with major trauma, injury severity score (ISS), median 22 (range 18-41), were followed prospectively.

Catabolism of aggrecan proteoglycan aggregate components in short-term explant cultures of tendon.

Hyaluronan (HA) and link protein are essential components of the aggrecan proteoglycan aggregate, whereby HA binds multiple aggrecan monomers, an interaction which is stabilised by link protein. In this study, we have examined the turnover of the aggregate components, HA, link protein, and the N-terminal G1 domain of aggrecan, in explant cultures of tissue from compressed and tensional regions of young and mature bovine tendons. Western blot analyses revealed the release of highly processed link protein and G1-containing metabolites, in the absence of catabolic agents, indicating an increased turnover of these components in tendon.

Biological basis for the benefit of nutraceutical supplementation in arthritis.

Arthritis is a common disease in which the end-point results in joint replacement surgery. This article reviews the use of nutraceuticals as alternative treatments for pathological manifestations of arthritic disease. The efficacy of fish oils (e.

Immunolocalisation and expression of proteoglycan 4 (cartilage superficial zone proteoglycan) in tendon.

Cartilage superficial zone protein/proteoglycan (SZP) or proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), has been demonstrated to have the potential for several distinct biological functions including cytoprotection, lubrication and matrix binding. In the present study, we have examined both the immunolocalisation and the mRNA expression pattern of PRG4 in tissue harvested from the compressed and tensional regions of young and mature bovine tendons. Immunohistochemical analyses, utilizing monoclonal antibody 3-A-4 which recognizes a conformational-dependent epitope on native PRG4, demonstrated that PRG4 is present predominantly at the surface of fibrocartilaginous regions of tendon, with the intensity of immunoreactivity in this region increasing with age.

Effects of n-3 fatty acids on cartilage metabolism.

Although the clinical benefits of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been recognised for a number of years, the molecular mechanisms by which particular PUFA affect metabolism of cells within the synovial joint tissues are not understood. This study set out to investigate how n-3 PUFA and other classes of fatty acids affect both degradative and inflammatory aspects of metabolism of articular cartilage chondrocytes using an in vitro model of cartilage degradation. Using well-established culture models, cartilage explants from normal bovine and human osteoarthritic cartilage were supplemented with either n-3 or n-6 PUFA, and cultures were subsequently treated with interleukin 1 to initiate catabolic processes that mimic cartilage degradation in arthritis.

Increased neutrophil migratory activity after major trauma: a factor in the etiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome?

Objective: Neutrophil infiltration of the lung is characteristic of early posttraumatic acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study examines the ability of neutrophils isolated (over the first 24 hrs) from the peripheral blood of patients admitted after major trauma to migrate in response to interleukin-8. Interleukin-8 is elevated in the lung within 2 hrs of major trauma in patients who later develop ARDS, and thus it plays a central role in the recruitment of neutrophils to the lung and their subsequent activation.

Pathologic indicators of degradation and inflammation in human osteoarthritic cartilage are abrogated by exposure to n-3 fatty acids.

Objective: To determine if n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation (versus treatment with n-6 polyunsaturated or other fatty acid supplements) affects the metabolism of osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage.

Methods: The metabolic profile of human OA cartilage was determined at the time of harvest and after 24-hour exposure to n-3 PUFAs or other classes of fatty acids, followed by explant culture for 4 days in the presence or absence of interleukin-1 (IL-1). Parameters measured were glycosaminoglycan release, aggrecanase and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, and the levels of expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for mediators of inflammation, aggrecanases, MMPs, and their natural tissue inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases [TIMPs]).